title: Unique catalytic activities and scaffolding of p21 activated kinase-1 in cardiovascular signaling.
abstract: P21 activated kinase-1 (Pak1) has diverse functions in mammalian cells. Although a large number of phosphoproteins have been designated as Pak1 substrates from in vitro studies, emerging evidence has indicated that Pak1 may function as a signaling molecule through a unique molecular mechanism - scaffolding. By scaffolding, Pak1 delivers signals through an auto-phosphorylation-induced conformational change without transfer of a phosphate group to its immediate downstream effector(s). Here we review evidence for this regulatory mechanism based on structural and functional studies of Pak1 in different cell types and research models as well as in vitro biochemical assays. We also discuss the implications of Pak1 scaffolding in disease-related signaling processes and the potential in cardiovascular drug development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL, USA ; Center for Cardiovascular Research, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Yunbo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: R John
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Solaro
keywords: FTY720; auto-phosphorylation; cardiovascular diseases; cytoskeletal reorganization; scaffolding